Bethlehem, PA Reinvents Itself from an Industry Past

If you lived in Bethlehem in the
mid 1990’s, you saw the shift from the long, proud history of The Steel City to
a place where workers were out of a job and the economy of the region started
to plummet. In 1995, Bethlehem Steel shut down the last of its blast furnaces
and sent its remaining workers home to an uncertain future. At the heart of the
town’s history and success lies the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and it has
taken the area time to recover from the hard hit that this closure had on the
local region.

Like any great story, however, Bethlehem
has rebuilt itself from the ashes since the 1990’s—reinventing the town as a recovering
region that has a diverse economic foundation and a growing population.

The Legacy of Bethlehem
as an Industrial City

Understanding the journey that Bethlehem
went on to go from the #2 steel producer in America to the modern town it is
today means going back over 150 years. Bethlehem Steel Corporation was founded
in the mid-1800’s, and it was based out of Bethlehem, PA. A major supplier of
steel through the Civil War and both World Wars, you can find Bethlehem steel
in everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to naval and merchant ships from
World War II.

In its heyday as a powerhouse of
global manufacturing, Bethlehem Steel employed more than 31,000 workers, many
of whom came from the town of Bethlehem. However, foreign competition and outsourcing
took its toll on the steel giant, and Bethlehem Steel was finally forced to
cease operation nearly 140 years after it opened its doors.

What Helped
Bethlehem Recover its Economy?

The shut-down of the largest
employer in the area resulted in high poverty levels, increased unemployment,
and many residents leaving Bethlehem to find work in other cities. While it
took some time, this historic town in Pennsylvania is well on its way to
recovery, transforming the worn-down buildings of the past into modern, trendy
shopping areas and turning the old steel mill into SteelStacks—a popular,
unique venue for concerts, films, and more.

The economic slide of Bethlehem
isn’t unique to the city, and countless areas across the United States were hit
hard during the recession and in the following decades as manufacturing work
got harder to find. What is unique, however, is Bethlehem’s ability to recover,
and this area has worked hard to build its way back up to being a desirable and
thriving place to live.

So, how did the city do it? When
you ask Alan Berube, a researcher from the Brookings Institution that studies
industrial American cities, it all comes down to Bethlehem having the four key ingredients
needed to reinvent itself:

Innovation, with several small universities
and Lehigh University helping to drive research.

Reinvestment into the downtown region that
makes this area of the city a lively, trendy place.

Immigration that plays into the
entrepreneurial spirit of the economy—repopulating neighborhoods and growing
the local workforce.

Strong leadership from officials that believe in
the mission of revitalization and progress.

Moving Forward
towards the Future in Bethlehem, PA

While it might no longer be
accurate to call modern Bethlehem an industrial city, it speaks to its legacy
of growing, falling, and rebuilding to become one of the most resilient of the
old industrial cities that dot the region. Today, the population continues to
climb with 74,000+ people living in the area, and O’Brien’s Moving &
Storage has been there since 1928 to help local residents move in and out of
the region.

With our long history in the area,
our Bethlehem movers have seen the evolution of
Bethlehem, and we live, work, and play right here in the local region. That
means that our crews understand the unique needs and challenges of relocating
in the area, and we can help you put together a custom moving plan that helps
you easily get settled into your new home.

Whether you are moving back to
Bethlehem to put down roots or you need to plan a long distance relocation to
go on life’s next adventure, O’Brien’s Moving & Storage is there for you with
our affordable, professional moving and storage services. Give our Bethlehem movers a call
to learn more, or simply fill out our online form now to request a free quote
and consultation.